Capellaro



March 11, 1958 N. CAPELLARO TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 10. 1955 Fig. 2

United States Patent @fifice TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR CGMPUHNG MACHINES Nataie Qapellaro, Ivrea, Italy, assignor to Eng. C. Olivetti & C., S. p. A., Ivrea, Italy, a corporation italy Application January 10, 1955, Serial No. 4%,942 8 Claims. (Cl. 235-137) The present invention relates to transfer mechanisms for computing machines and the like.

As used in the present specification and claims the term computing machine is intended to include any type of machine for accumulating items in which the mechanism of the present invention may be usefully employed, as, for example, in adding and/or subtracting machines, calculating machines, cash registers, accounting machines, and bookkeeping machines.

Transfer mechanisms are provided in computing machines for transferring one unit into a register wheel of a higher order either additively or subtractively when the wheel of the next lower order moves from 9 t 9, or vice versa, as in. the case of the decimal notation. Such an operation will be called a primary transfer. It may happen that the register wheel into which the transfer unit is entered is itself just moving from 9 to O or vice versa, thus causing in turn a transfer into the register wheel of the next higher order. This second transfer, which follows the primary transfer, will be called a secondary transfer. Such secondary transfers normally require additional time, which may increase proportionally with the number of orders of the register, since each secondary transfer may be followed by another secondary transfer. Normally the secondary transfers follow each other in a cascade-like sequence and the total time required is a major factor in determining the cycling speed of the machine.

Various transfer mechanisms have been devised for overcoming these difliculties. Some mechanisms require, however, an additional checking operation of the state of the register as a prerequisite to their operation. Other mechanisms require an additional conditioning operation of the transfer actuating means as a prerequisite to their operation. Such mechanisms are generally impractical and intricate.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate these disadvantages and to provide a transfer mechanism for a computing machine which is of simple manufacture and reliable and fast operation.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide in such a machine a transfer mechanism wherein all the primary and secondary transfers are effected simultaneously and positively under the sole control of the register and without any additional checking or conditioning operation.

In accordance with the invention I provide in a computing machine having a register with a plurality of denominational orders, transfer storage means associated with each order. The transfer storage means is settable for a primary transfer operation into the next higher order when the associated order moves through transfer position during an amount entering operation. I further provide means associated with each order and operable thereby for efiecting a secondary transfer operation into the next higher order when the associated order moves through transfer position as an incident to a primary transfer operation,

In a preferred form of the invention the transfer storage means comprises a transfer trip lever operable by a transfer element of the associated order and the means for effecting the secondary transfer comprises an advancing member engageable with the next higher order and having a portion arranged to be engaged and operated by the transfer element of said associated order.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompan ing drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial left-hand longitudinal view through an adding and subtracting machine embodying the invention showing one denominational order thereof;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 1 showing the parts in operated position;

Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c are diagrammatical representations showing the positions of the register pinions in the sequential steps of an example of addition.

The adding and subtracting machine shown in the drawings is of the well known type comprising a pin carriage 5 (Fig. 1), a set of vertically arranged longitudinally movable actuators 6 and a register 7. As is usual in this type of machine, the pin carriage 5 is movable transversely step by step and comprises nine.

horizontal rows of pins 8. When a digit is set up in the keyboard, not shown in the drawing, a corresponding pin 8 is moved backwards (leftwards as seen in Fig. 1) to act as a stop upon a projection 9 of the actuator 6. Normally the actuators are held in their lowest or fully returned position by a universal bar ll.

The main operating shaft of the machine is designated by the numeral 12. As is known in the art, this shaft makes a constant revolution at each machine cycle and by known means, not here described, imparts a forward and then a return stroke to one or more operating mechanisms, as the universal bar 11. More particularly, as here shown, the universal bar 11 moves first upwards and then downwards.

When the universal bar 11 is so raised, each actuator 6 is moved upwardly by a spring 10 until arrested by the stop 8 set into the path of its projection 9.

The register 7 shown in Fig. 1 is an algebraic register f the known type comprising two set of pinions 14 which are in constant mesh with each other and which are supported by a cradle 15. Upon reversing the cradle 15 through either set of pinions may be presented to the actuators 6. Normally the register 7 is out of engagement with the actuators, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon shifting the register 7 rearwards, the rearward set of pinions engages with the actuators 6. During the upward movement of the actuators 5 the register 7 is held out of engagement, but before the return or down stroke of the actuators, the register is shifted into engagement therewith, whereby the amount set up in the pin carriage 5 is entered into the register. For subtraction the register cradle 15 is previously reversed through 180, whereby the amount is entered into the opposite set of pinions. The mechanism for reversing the cradle 15 through 180 is known in the art and will not be described.

Each pinion 14 is provided with a laterally projecting tens transfer tooth 16 (Figs. 1 and 2). On the forward side of the register 7 there is arranged a set of transfer levers 17 pivotally mounted on a shaft 13 for limited movement about a fixed axis. Each lever 17 is provided with a toothed arm 19 whose teeth face a pinion 14 of the forward set of pinions and carries a lateral projection 20 cooperating with the transfer tooth 16 of the pinion 14 of the next lower order. Each lever 17 is furthermore Patented Mar. 11, 1958 provided with a bent over lug 21 and is urged clockwise as seen in Fig. l by a spring 22. Normally each lug 21 is arrested by a projection 23 of a trip lever 24 pivoted on a shaft 25 and also urged clockwise by a spring 26. Each trip lever 2 is provided with a projection 2'? which is engageable by the transfer tooth 36 of the pinion M of the next lower order of the rearward set of pinious.

As will be apparent from Fig. 1, each lever 17 may be swung from its normal position into two different positions indicated by broken lines, namely an upper position I and a lower position 11. An edge shaped positioning bar 28 cooperates with two teeth 29 formed in a projecting portion of the lever 17 for retaining the latter in each of said three positions.

A universal bar 3% upon completion of the return stroke of the actuators 6 is moved downwards by a mechanism actuated by the main shaft 12. This mechanism is known per se and will not be described.

When during an amount entering operation a pinion of the rearward set of pinions in turning counterclockwise moves from 9 to or vice versa, its transfer tooth 16 engages the projection 27 and trips the trip lever 24. The latter assumes thereupon the position shown in broken lines in Fig. l, releasing the lug 21 of the transfer lever 17 of the next higher order. The lever It! is thus free to be rotated by its spring 22 into its upper position I (see also Fig. 3, showing the lever in position 1).

Upon completion of the return stroke of the actuators 6 the register 7 is disengaged from the actuators. However, instead of being arrested in the normal position shown in Fig. l, the register 7 is shifted an additional amount to the right into engagement with the toothed arms 19. The mechanism for shifting the register will not be described, since it is old in the art to move a register toward and from a set of actuators and an opposite set of transfer sectors through a normal disengaged position.

As mentioned above, near the end of the machine cycle the universal bar 3h is lowered, whereby each transfer lever 17 met in position I is swung counterclockwise and restored to its normal position. Since the toothed arms 19 are now in engagement with the register pinious, each transfer lever 17 which is swung in the manner described advances the corresponding register pinion one step.

Suppose now that the register pinion which is advanced one step, as just described, moves, by this advancement, hour 9 to 0 or vice versa. In this case the primary tens transfer is followed by another or secondary tens transfer. T 0 this end the register pinion which due to the primary tens transfer advances from 9 to 0 or vice versa engages, by means of its transfer tooth 16, the lateral projection 2d of the transfer lever 37 of the next higher order, moving the latter to the position ii. The corresponding pinion in engagement with the arm 19 of this lever is thus advanced one step. if this pinion itself moves too from 9 to O or vice versa, 2. unit is transferred in the same way to the register pinion of the next higher order, In the case, for instance, of 1 being added to 99999, a primary tens transfer occurs in the second order and a secondary tens transfer occurs in the third, fourth and fifth orders. Since all these transfers are effected as an incident to the lowering of the universal bar 30, it will be apparent that they occur simultaneously in all register orders and are carried out positively, i. e. without the help of any spring action.

Upon completion of the transfer operation the positiouing bar 28 is moved into engagement with the transfer levers 17 locking the same to allow the register pinious in the position which then they occupy to disengage from the transfer levers without danger of accidental rotation because of the bias exerted on the levers 17 by their springs 22.

Each trip lever 24, which was tripped as described above, is restored to normal during the lowering of the universal bar 36 and, more particularly, when the corresponding transfer lever 17 is swung by such bar into its normal position, the lug 21 first rides over the lower edge 31 of the projection 23 (Fig. 3) and then reengages the latter. At the end of the cycle the positioning bar 23 disengages the transfer levers 17 and allows those of them which swung into the position II to be restored to normal by their springs 22. The mechanism for moving the positioning bar 28 toward and from the transfer levers 17 is actuated by the main shaft 12 and since it is known per se, it will not be described.

At the end of the cycle the universal bar 30 returns to normal. To enable the transfer levers 17 to move from normal position to their position II without affecting the trip levers 24, each trip lever 24 is provided with an aperture 32 (Fig. 3) wherein the lug 21 is freely movable.

During total taking the projections 27 of the trip levers 24 may act as stops for the register pinious, as is known in the art.

Since the tens transfer is performed by a mechanism which is separated from and independent of the actuators 6, it is clear that each register of the machine may be provided with its own transfer mechanism, whereby an amount can be entered simultaneously in two or more registers by the same set of actuators. By way of example, Fig. 1 shows a second register 7, which is located below the register '7 and which is operable by the same set of actuators 6. The register 7 is provided with its own transfer mechanism, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

To illustrate the mode of operation of the present transfer mechanism an example of addition will now be described in detail. Assume the amount 72689 is to be added to the amount 654329 already accumulated in the register.

Figs. 4a, 4b and 40 show diagrammatically the pinious 14 of the forward set of pinious, the pinious being supposed to be numbered and viewed from the right in Fig. 1. Since the central tooth of the toothed arm 19 and the lateral projection 20 lie side by side on the same horizontal plane, they are schematically represented in Figs. 4a, 4b and 40 by a single line 1920 (Fig. 4b). The transfer tooth is designated by the numeral 16.

Fig. 4a shows the register state before entering the number 72689. The arms 19 are all in their normal position. Fig. 4b shows the register state after entering the number 72689, but before any tens transfer has occurred. Since during the amount entering operation the register pinion of the first, second and fifth order of the right hand set of pinious moves beyond 9, the corresponding trip levers 24 are tripped and the toothed arms 19 of the second, third and sixth order are lifted, as shown in Fig. 4:). Fig. 4c shows the register state at the end of the addition, after lowering of the universal bar 30. The arms 19 have been restored, whereby the corresponding pinious have been advanced one step. Moreover, since the register pinion of the third order in receiving the unit of the primary transfer moves from 9 to 0, its transfer tooth 16 engages the projection 29 of the transfer lever of the fourth order and advances the fourth pinion one step, thus performing a secondary transfer.

For transferring the fugitive one the transfer tooth 16 of the register pinion of the highest order cooperates, through a bail 33, with the toothed arms 19 of the lowest order, as is known per se.

From the foregoing description it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the novel transfer mechanism of the invention may with equal facility be applied to other kinds of registers for different kinds of machines. For example, the invention is applicable to machines employing a single pinion register. Likewise it is clear that the invention is not limited to the employment of a common advancing member for-effecting both primary and secondary transfers but that the primary transfers may be effected by an independent mechanlsm.

It will also be understood that many changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, a transfer actuator for the wheel of the next higher order, said actuator being conditionable under the control of said lever for effecting a primary transfer operation, said actuator having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for effecting a secondary transfor operation simultaneously with said rotation, and a driving bar common to said actuators for driving the actuators so conditioned.

2. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, a transfer actuator segment engageable with the wheel of the next higher order, means cooperating with said segment and settable under the control of said lever from a normal position to a set position for conditioning said segment to effect a primary transfer operation, said segment when so conditioned being movable during engagement with said higher order wheel to effect said primary transfer, said segment during said engagement having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for effecting a secondary transfer operation simultaneously with said rotation, and a driving bar common to said actuators for driving the segments so conditioned.

3. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, a transfer actuator engageable with the wheel of the next higher order, said actuator being settable under the control of said lever from a normal position to a set position during disengagement with said higher order wheel for conditioning a primary transfer operation, said actuator being furthermore movable from said normal position to a second position, said actuator when in normal position and during engagement with said higher order wheel having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for moving the actuator into said second position simultaneously with said rotation to effect a secondary transfer operation, and a driving bar common to said actuators for restoring the actuators so set to normal position during engagement with their respective higher order wheels.

4. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a pair of intermeshed register wheels and a transfer element rotatable with each wheel through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by the element of one wheel of said pair, a transfer actuator for the opposed wheel of the pair of the next higher order, said actuator being conditionable under the control of said lever for effecting a primary transfer operation, said actuator having a portion engageable by the element opposed to the element operating said lever upon rotation through transfer position for effecting a secondary transfer operation simultaneously with said rotation, and a driving bar common to said actuators for driving the actuators so conditioned.

5. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a pair of intermeshed register wheels and a transfer element rotatable with each wheel through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by the element of one wheel of said pair, a transfer actuator engageable with the opposed wheel of the pair of the next higher order, said actuator being settable under the control of said lever from a normal position to a set position during disengagement of the actuator with said opposed wheel for conditioning a primary transfer operation, said actuator being furthermore movable from said normal position to a second position, said actuator when in normal position and during engagement with said opposed wheel having a portion engageable by the element opposed to the element operating said lever upon rotation through transfer position for moving the actuator into said second position simultaneously with said rotation to effect a secondary transfer operation, and a driving bar common to said actuators for restoring the actuators so set to normal position during engagement with their respective opposed Wheels.

6. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, and a transfer actuator for the wheel of the next higher order, said actuator being movable under the control of said lever from a normal position in a first direction for conditioning a primary transfer operation, said actuator having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for effecting a secondary transfer operation simultaneously with said rotation, said actuator when so engaged being moved from said normal position in an opposed direction.

7. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, a transfer actuator for the wheel of the next higher order, and a latching connection between said lever and said actuator, said actuator being normally latched by said lever and when unlatched being movable in a first direction for conditioning a primary transfer operation, said actuator when in latched position having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for efiecting a secondary transfer operation simultaneously with said rotation, said actuator when so engaged being moved in an opposed direction, said latching connection being a unidirectional connection to enable the actuator to move in said opposed direction without unlatching from said lever.

8. In a simultaneously operable transfer mechanism for computing machine registers having in each denominational order a register wheel and a transfer element rotatable therewith through a transfer position, a transfer trip lever operable by said element, a transfer actuator engageable with the wheel of the next higher order, a latching connection between said lever and said actuator, a spring for moving said actuator in a first direction, said actuator being normally latched by said lever and when unlatched being movable by said spring in said direction during disengagement with said higher order wheel for conditioning a primary transfer operation, said actuator during engagement with said higher order wheel having a portion engageable by said element upon rotation through transfer position for effecting a secondary transfer operation simultaneously with said rotation, said actuator when so engaged being moved in an opposed direction to delay said action of said springs until disengagement of the register from the actuators.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rechnitzer Ian. 2, 1906 Reiss July 10, 1923 Butler Nov. 19, 1940 

